Turmeric plants require warm soil, a place to grow, and plenty of fertilizer. Turmeric plants are heavy feeders. They need a steady supply of nutrients to grow well. The Turmeric at the beginning of the growing season appreciates more nitrogen to help with leafy growth. Turmeric benefits from extra potassium when the rhizomes are being formed. Let’s check out the best fertilizer for Turmeric.

Nitrogen is essential to boost vegetative growth and thus increase production. Phosphorus is essential for root development while Potassium is involved in transporting carbohydrates to rhizomes. Potassium along with nitrogen and phosphorus plays an important role in development and production, as it is involved in the development of assimilation, transport, and storage tissue.
The application of potassium significantly increased the number of primary and secondary rhizomes, the number of leaves in Turmeric. Also improves the curcumin content. Based on soil testing, application of lime, dolomite, rock phosphate, wood ash must be done to require the amount of phosphorus and potassium. when the state of the deficiency trace elements becomes yield-limiting, limited use of minerals/chemicals sources of micronutrients are allowed through soil application or foliar spray.
Best fertilizer for Turmeric
Compost manure for Turmeric
Turmeric responds to a heavy dressing of organic matter and much experimental evidence sits available only on beneficial effects of organic matter or in association with non-organic fertilizers on Turmeric growth and productivity. Soil organic matter acts as a soil conditioner, source of nutrients, substrate for microbial activity, environmental protection, and important determinant for maintaining or increasing agricultural production.
Organic manures include all essential nutrients of plants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, zinc, copper, manganese, and iron which are essential for increasing the production and quality of Turmeric rhizome.
Compost
The best fertilizers for Turmeric are organic, like garden compost. Calcium and magnesium-rich manure should be applied in such a way that its nutrients can be absorbed by the roots without direct contact with leaves and stems. It is usually mixed with soil before watering and mulching.
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Worm castings
Worm castings are a great, natural slow-release fertilizer that won’t burn your Turmeric plants.
Farmyard manure
Farmyard manure or compost is applied at the time of preparation of land or is used as a basal dressing by spreading in beds or pits at the time of planting.
Poultry manure
Poultry manure is a concentrated source of nitrogen and phosphorus and can be used effectively with inorganic fertilizers to increase Turmeric production. The highest fresh rhizome production of Turmeric was recorded in the treatment of NPK + poultry manure.
Animal dung
Farmers use natural fertilizers, animal dung for a good harvest and maximum production of Turmeric, and avoid the use of other harmful pesticides and chemicals.
Homemade fertilizers for Turmeric
- Coffee grounds – Turmeric can benefit from your used coffee grounds sprinkled on the soil surface. Rarely use this trick as coffee can greatly reduce soil pH.
- Neem or peanut cake – In Turmeric production neem or peanut cake, 200 kg per hectare should be applied at the time of planting.
Natural fertilizers for Turmeric
The crop is mulched immediately after planting with green leaves 1,200 to 15,000 kg per hectare. It can be repeated for the second time with the same quantity of green leaves after the application of the second fertilizer. Generally, large quantities of organic fertilizers, oil cake, and green leaves (as mulch) are applied in different Turmeric growing states.
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Liquid fertilizers for Turmeric
Compost tea
Apply diluted liquid manure or compost tea every few weeks during summer to keep plants healthy.
Kelp and fish emulsion
Provide organic liquid fertilizer every few weeks, such as kelp or fish emulsion. Be careful as Turmeric leaves can burn if they get too much fertilizer. At the same time, avoid providing too much nitrogen as it encourages the growth of leaves at the expense of the development of rhizomes.
Seaweed
Annual applications of a controlled ongoing fertilizer with regular applications of liquid seaweed during the growing season will give the best results.
Commercial fertilizers for Turmeric
NPK ratio
You need to choose a good fertilizer mix for the optimum growth of the Turmeric plant. Turmeric grows best with fertilizer which contains N: P2O5: K2O in a 1:1:2 ratio. If your soil is not good enough in nutrients, you can use N: P2O5: K2O in a 3:2:6 ratio.
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Water-soluble fertilizers such as 19:19:19, Mono ammonium phosphate (12:61:0), multi-k (13:0:45) and urea are used. The normal dose of fertilizer should be 30 to 120 kg nitrogen, 30 to 60 kg phosphorus, and 60 to 120 kg per hectare depending on the place and increasing conditions. The beds should be earthed up after the application of each fertilizer.
Micronutrient fertilizers
At the rhizome development stage, apply 375 grams of Ferrous sulfate, 375 grams of Zinc sulfate, 375 g Borax, 250-liter water per hectare in 375 grams of urea to address the deficiency of micronutrients especially boron, iron, and zinc. The spray is recommended twice at intervals of 25 days. The above micronutrients dissolve in Superphosphate slurry (15 kg of super-phosphate dissolves into 25 liters of stored water overnight and the supernatant solution is made up to 250 liters). Micronutrients are added to this solution.
Turmeric fertilizer schedule
Nitrogen and the variety are grown have a significant impact on the supporting roles of production and production in Turmeric. Nitrogen application significantly improved plant height, the number of tillers per clump, and yield. A good supply of phosphorus has historically been associated with the growing growth of crop roots. Plant roots are widely spread in the soil areas treated with phosphorus. Potassium along with nitrogen and phosphorus plays an important role in development and production.
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At the time of preparation of land, a basal dose of 40 tons per hectare of farmyard manure can be added. Half of the dose of K2O and P2O5 is applied as a basal dose. Half of the nitrogen is given 45 days after planting and the remaining half is given 3 months after planting with the remaining dose of P2O5. Since soil fertility will vary with soil type, agro-ecological conditions or management systems, specific site nutrition management.
The fertilizer application should be completed within 120 days from the time of plantation. Chemical fertilizers should be applied with FYM and organic cake. Whenever micronutrient deficiencies like zinc, manganese, etc. are observed, they should be corrected with foliar spray. Spray 5.0 grams of ferrous sulfate with 1.0 grams per liter of water lime salt to control the deficiency of ‘Fe’. Zinc sulfate 5.0 grams and 0.5 ml of water per liter of sticking agent to overcome the deficiency of ‘Zn’.
How to fertilize Turmeric in a pot
Turmeric is also a heavy feeder so use soil rich in organic matter with standard fertilizer to start with. Once Turmeric is actively growing, feed throughout the season every few weeks. During the growing phase, the plant should be fed with all-purpose liquid fertilizer once in 3 to 4 weeks. Applying compost tea, rotten manure or warm casting is also beneficial. Avoid composting the plant in winter.
Feed them with manure or balanced organic pellet-style fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks, as these are slow-release fertilizers that provide ongoing plant nutrition. Phosphorus content is important for root development. Do not use water-soluble fertilizers as they usually act fast but wash out, they are better used as additional boosts or supplements for slow-release fertilizers and not the main source of nutrients.
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Frequently asked questions about fertilizers for Turmeric (FAQ)
How do you increase Turmeric production?
An increase in the rate of application of potassium has increased growth, consumption, and use of nutrients, increase in production and quality of Turmeric.
How do you increase the curcumin in Turmeric?
The material of Ca, K, and Mg were highest when Turmeric was cultivated on grey soil and was the highest per for cultivation on dark red soil. To get more production and a high intake of curcumin, fat, protein, you should cultivate Turmeric in deep red soil.
Why are my Turmeric leaves turning yellow?
If Turmeric leaves turn yellow or burn on the edges, it means you are overwatering and/or have insufficient nutrient symptoms.
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